He was surprised and strangely proud to realize that he knew who Ahmale was. Anna’s new BFF.

“And?”

“Her toddler’s come down with something and is apparently vomiting every few minutes. Would it be possible for you to pick her up and drop her off at home?”

Rapp was about to give her a simple yes but was suddenly invaded by some kind of evil domestic spirit.

“Why don’t we just keep her for a day or two? Anna’d love it and it’d take the pressure off her mother.”

Claudia was silent for long enough that Rapp thought he might have inadvertently disconnected her. Finally, she spoke. “Are you serious? I was thinking that but didn’t want to suggest it. Two girls are four times as much work as one.”

“I just crawled through the jungle being hunted by an African death cult. How bad could it be?”

“Much worse than that. But since you’re in a generous mood, I’ll call Ahmale’s mother and make the offer. I’m certain she’ll take us up on it.”

“Sounds good. Got to go, I’m pulling up out front.”

Anna and Ahmale were among the other children crowding the sidewalk. They spotted him, said some quick good-byes, and a moment later were climbing into the backseat.

“Hey, Mitch. Mom said you could give Ahmale a ride home. Her mom couldn’t come because her brother’s sick.”

“Hi, Mr. Rapp!”

“Hi, Ahmale. Hey, since your brother’s not feeling good, do you want to just stay with us for a couple of days?”

They froze in the rearview mirror, both looking a bit stunned at the offer but then exploding into enthusiastic squeals.

By the time he pulled away, he’d already faded into complete irrelevance. They were busy making plans for their time together and plotting aloud how they could extend it.

God help him.

“And after that would you—”

“Hang on,” Rapp said, cutting Claudia off and opening the kitchen window. “Anna! Stop feeding the dogs ice cream!”

She gave him a guilty look and put the cone behind her back as Ahmale giggled uncontrollably. The dogs circled, trying another line of attack. Hopefully, an unsuccessful one. Something he didn’t need in his life was two Rhodesian ridgebacks tearing around the house with diarrhea.

“Sorry,” he said, closing the window again. “What were you saying?”

“I was wondering if you could go pick up a few of Ahmale’s things later. Her mother’s leaving them on the porch, so you don’t have to go in the house.”

“Sure. No problem.”

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“What?”

“Who are you and what have you done with Mitch Rapp?”

“Funny,” he said, continuing to stack plates in the dishwasher.

“What are you thinking about? Gideon Auma?”

“Nope.”

“President Cook?”

“No.”

“Really,” she said, unconvinced. “Just focusing on the dishes, huh?”